I've done it, with a sensored Turnigy Trackstar and HW esc, worked fine. I did discuss it with someone here beforehand and they said the motor just defaults back to -0- timing without the esc timing input. I would say there is something wrong with that esc. I also have a LRP 17.5 sensored motor here that runs fine on a Mamba Max esc without sensor. I would guess the esc mosfets are damaged. They are the "timing" of the esc. They switch the fields in the motor windings to start the motor and keep it running.